It was a wet, cold Saturday when we turned our ragged van up the mud-splattered road of a service entrance just off Hwy. 290, about thirty miles outside Austin. We expected to find the gateway to another world and, instead, we found the busy sounds of a construction site fully underway. Countless men in flannel shirts were operating everything from buzz saws to tractors amid the remnants of Texas’ Lost Pines region in Paige. It wasn’t until we were greeted by a man in pointy elf shoes that I finally began to believe we had arrived. We followed him beyond the confines of a rustic cedar fence and the skeletal frames of several unfinished buildings started to take shape. This building designed in the Tudor style, that building beset with Celtic crosses, and, near front and center, a glorious seven stone circle, reminiscent of a stone-age monument, yet erected only months ago. We had indeed found it: Sherwood Forest.

Of course, it’s not the real Sherwood Forest. Rather, this is our very own Texas version of the mythical enchanted wood where Robin Hood and his merry men hid out, fugitives of the dreaded Sheriff Nottingham. But, like the old fabled forest, this stretch of 106 acres promises to house the dashing Robin Hood, Little John, Maid Marian and others for at least six weeks of every year. It opens to the public every weekend from February 27 through April 4 under the banner ‘Sherwood Forest Faire.’

Texas is already home to two exceedingly successful Renaissance faires, the well-known Scarborough Faire in Waxahachie and the aptly coined Texas Renaissance Festival. The latter is one of the nation’s largest, hosted in Plantersville. Several smaller faires scattered throughout the state. Texas may seem ill-suited to a third large faire ground; however, the Sherwood Forest Faire is uniquely situated to cater to gypsies, gentlemen and pirates inhabiting the hill country area. This provides the cities of Austin, San Antonio and everywhere in between with a locally produced month-long extravaganza sure to bring out the vagabond in any cowboy.

Additionally, Sherwood Forest Faire pledges to be different than its predecessors, giving its audience something unique. The Seven Sisters stone circle is one example of this independent spirit; on-site camping featuring its own stage with impromptu performances and drum circle is another.

Founded by Renaissance faire veterans George Appling and Eric Todd, Sherwood Forest Faire is a labor of love – a merger of business and pleasure.

“We are excited to launch the inaugural season,” states Appling on the faire’s website. “The heavily-wooded land lends itself to the 12th century experience and is being transformed into Medieval times.”

To purchase tickets or find more information on the faire, such as a list of vendors, directions or scheduled guest performances, visit the website at www.sherwoodforestfaire.com.

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